I Want to Be Emperor.

Summary

The scene at the Xuan Shi Hall was meticulously orchestrated, with Liu Che receiving an imperial edict from Grand Imperial Secretary Chao Cuo, announcing the Crown Prince would preside over the day's ceremony due to the Emperor's illness. While officials complied, Prime Minister Zhang Ou felt uneasy, sensing a shift in power dynamics. Chao Cuo's role signaled the Emperor's dissatisfaction with Zhang, who hesitated to resign despite the implications. Zhang's history of shirking responsibilities and reliance on capable subordinates allowed him to maintain his position. Liu Che planned to replace Zhang, using Chao Cuo's reading of the edict as a strategic move to signal to ambitious nobles that the Prime Minister's authority was waning. In the Han Dynasty, the selection of a Prime Minister relied on the Emperor's choice or ministerial recommendations, emphasizing the need for visibility and favor with the Emperor.

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